Viral Video Renews Calls for Release of Detained Nigerian Air Force Officer Accused of Training Christians in Self-Defense.

  Viral Video Renews Calls for Release of Detained Nigerian Air Force Officer Accused of Training Christians in Self-Defense.   A video ...

 

Viral Video Renews Calls for Release of Detained Nigerian Air Force Officer Accused of Training Christians in Self-Defense.

 

A video circulating widely on social media has reignited public outcry over the prolonged detention of Reverend Tanko Barnabas Bulus, a former Warrant Officer in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Bulus, arrested in September 2021, has been held for over four years on allegations related to organizing self-defense training for Christian communities facing recurrent attacks in Nigeria's Middle Belt region.

 

In the video, posted on social media by a speaker identified as "D English Alhaji" provides an emotional update on Bulus's case. Seated casually while eating a traditional meal, the speaker claims Bulus was detained for teaching basic self-defense techniques to churches and communities targeted by terrorist groups and Fulani militias. He alleges that evidence a locally made pistol was planted, that Bulus endured torture including electric shocks, and that he was held in inhumane conditions, including being chained underground for months.

 

The speaker states he personally visited Bulus in a correctional facility in Jos, Plateau State, and spoke with his daughter Diana and brother. Appealing directly to the Nigerian government, military authorities, and international bodies, he urges a case review and Bulus's release, describing the situation as a grave injustice.

 

The post has garnered significant engagement, with hundreds of reposts and likes, and replies expressing outrage over perceived religious persecution. Many users frame the case as evidence of bias against Christians, who have faced deadly attacks in Plateau and surrounding states, often attributed to Fulani herdsmen or Islamist extremists.

 

Similar appeals have appeared on X throughout 2025, including posts from advocacy accounts like @ChristianEmerg1, which in July confirmed Bulus received needed medication amid concerns over his deteriorating health. Campaigns using the hashtag #FreeTanko portray him as a victim of false charges for promoting self-defense in violence-prone areas.

 

Bulus's arrest stemmed from claims of unauthorized civilian training, possession of illegal firearms, and forming a self-defense group. Advocates, including Christian associations, argue the actions were a response to ongoing insecurity, where communities have been left vulnerable despite repeated appeals for protection.

 

No official response from the Nigerian Air Force or government has been widely reported in recent months addressing these specific allegations.

The case highlights broader tensions in Nigeria's conflicts and religious violence, particularly in Plateau State, where hundreds have been killed in attacks over the years.

 

Human rights groups and international observers continue to monitor the situation, calling for due process and humanitarian consideration given Bulus's reported poor health.

 

As the video spreads, pressure mounts for authorities to revisit the case amid accusations of injustice and calls for his immediate release.

 

Family Writers Press International.